MS1202 MODIFICATION:

Convert AUX SEND 2 to pre-EQ/pre-fader Channels 1–4 only.

(1)Remove bottom cover. You will be working on the solder side (bottom) of the circuit board.

(2)Locate this area on the circuit board. Near the Aux Send 2 pots, channels 1 thru 4.

(3) Cut trace here.
POSTPRE
(4) Add jumper here.

Any internal modification of the MS 1202 must be performed by a competent electronic technician. Mackie Designs accepts no responsibility in the event of improperly performed modifications or other damages and, in such cases, may declare warranty privileges void.

OUTPUT SECTION

Here’s where it all comes together.

19Master gain

This controls both stereo MAIN and TAPE outputs from OFF (fully counterclockwise), through Unity Gain at the center detent, to 10dB of extra gain at fully clockwise. Most of the time this is run between Unity and off.

20Phones

As you might expect, this control does the same thing for the PHONES jack. The control range is from full OFF to loud. It’s totally independent of the MASTER pot, so you can use the headphone output to preview your mix before fading up the main outputs.

You can also use the PHONES output to independently drive a separate tape recorder or PA system. We made sure the audio quality at that output is the same audio quality as at the main outputs.

Because the headphone signal is controlled by the PHONES knob but not by the MASTER gain knob, you can use this feature to:

•Preview a mix. Leave the MASTER control all the way down while you listen to the musicians’ intro or click track in the headphones and then quickly bring up the master for a clean entrance.

•Serve as a totally isolated, high-quality output for a second tape recorder or PA system. Instead of using a low-cost “head-

phone amp” chip, we use a high-current version of our main output amplifier, which is why it can really clean out your cochlea if you crank it up too far… but still be a very clean signal source.

21 22 Metering

The MS 1202’s 3-way peak metering system is made up of two columns of twelve LED’s (21) and an INPUT CH. METERING switch (22).

Thanks to the MS 1202’s wide dynamic range, you can get a good mix with peaks flashing anywhere between –30 and +10dB on this display. Most PA amps clip at +4, and most recorders aren’t so forgiving either. For best real-world results, try to keep your peaks below +7.

In combination with the INPUT CH. i/ME- TERING button, the display can be used to monitor three different sources:

•Stereo Output. This is the normal function you’d expect from any mixer. It’s displayed when the INPUT CH. METER- ING button is in the OUT position. But don’t go away, there’s more! Press the INPUT CH. METERING button IN and you get input metering as well.

•Channel Operating Level. The right column of LED’s displays the overall operating level of all 12 channels and AUX Returns (pre-

Master Gain). To

 

+22

CLIP

monitor just one

 

 

+10

 

channel, turn down

 

 

21

+7

 

the others.

 

+4

 

• Mic Input. The left

 

 

+2

 

column of LED’s

 

 

 

0

0dBu

displays the

 

 

CAL

 

-2

 

combined operat-

 

 

 

-4

 

ing levels of

 

 

Channel 1–4’s mic

 

-7

 

preamps. By using

 

-10

 

just one channel at

 

-20

 

a time, you can use

 

-30

 

this feature to

U

U

 

TRIM for 0dB

BAL.

 

 

 

 

operating level

 

 

 

(explained else-

 

 

 

where in detail).

OO

 

+10

Avoid lighting the

 

MASTER

red CLIP LED’s. With

 

19

 

the INPUT CH. ME-

 

 

TERING button OUT,

 

 

 

watch the bouncing

 

 

 

LED’s to control the

 

 

 

1202

CONTROLS

TRIM LINE IN

1-4 1-12

INPUT CH.

METERING

22

OO

PHONES

20

9